Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his Department’s participation with the UN Disengagement Observer Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As of 1 March 2023, some 546 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas. The main overseas missions are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.

In relation to UNDOF, Permanent Defence Force personnel have been deployed to this UN mission since 2013. Defence Forces personnel comprise an Infantry Group of approximately 130 personnel and 6 staff in UNDOF Headquarters Personnel are based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. The role of the Irish Infantry Group includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with the on-going operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. The Irish Infantry Group is also tasked with carrying out patrols and convoy escorts as necessary.

The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces jointly review the overseas deployment of Defence Forces personnel on an ongoing basis. Following the conclusion of an assessment of Defence Forces’ current commitments and on the basis of the military advice available to me, I have decided to withdraw the 130-strong Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF with effect from April 2024.

The decision to withdraw personnel from the UNDOF mission has been taken to allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.

The United Nations Department of Peace Operations has been advised of our decision to withdraw Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF. Subject to the United Nation's agreement, my intention is that Ireland can continue to occupy a number of staff officer positions in UNDOF headquarters.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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349. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is aware of the sense of injustice felt by families of persons who served in the armed forces for extended periods, but died shortly after retiring from active service, and whose pension died with them leaving a widow to struggle with young children, as in a case (details supplied); if the State would consider establishing a scholarship fund or some similar charitable memorial, which would acknowledge the harshness of the arrangements after such loyal service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15363/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the excellent service provided by Defence Forces personnel, past and present, to the State.

On the matter of pensions, there are a number of different arrangements in place for spouses and children of former deceased Defence Forces personnel, depending on the rank of the deceased member and their start date with the Defence Forces.

From 1970 onwards, contributory spouses and children’s pension schemes were introduced for the various cohorts of DF personnel. In line with normal public service pension policy, when these Defence Forces' contributory spouses and children’s pension schemes were introduced, membership was compulsory for those who joined the Defence Forces after the relevant date. Personnel who were serving at the time the various schemes were introduced, were given an option to join.

In addition, at the time the various contributory pension schemes were introduced for Defence Forces enlisted personnel, an ex-gratia scheme was also introduced for the families of personnel who had retired or died prior to the introduction of the schemes, subject to meeting certain qualifying criteria. The ex-gratia scheme remains in place for those that meet the eligibility criteria.